
New mural at Dodger Stadium honors Fernando Valenzuela
Painted by Mexican American artist Robert Vargas, the mural shows Valenzuela tipping his cap to the sky in a Dodgers Mexican‑heritage jersey — featuring a green sleeve, red sleeve, white center — alongside two striking images of Valenzuela in his pitching stance. Vargas said the mural is meant to symbolize unity within the Latino community.
'I felt it very important to show that the Latino community has a place within these walls and has had a place within these walls,' Vargas said.
He wanted to reflect Valenzuela's spirit that still lives in the hearts of many fans and feature the man behind the player.
'What he did in the community, is what resonates so much more for me than just the player — but the man, the person that he was,' Vargas said.
Valenzuela played for the Dodgers from 1980-90. He grew up in Etchohuaquila, a small town in Mexico, and took Major League Baseball by storm in 1981, earning rookie of the year and Cy Young honors. Latino fans who previously felt little connection to the Dodgers were thrilled to see one of their own winning, sparking Fernandomania. Valenzuela wore the No. 34 and it remains a popular jersey worn by fans at Dodger Stadium.
Claudio Campo choked up as he gazed at the tribute. Traveling from Phoenix with his son to celebrate the boy's 11th birthday, Campo shared memories of a player whose greatness felt deeply personal. Valenzuela's nickname, 'El Toro,' are inked on Campo's left arm.
'He was a staple for the people that didn't have anything and then where he came from showed that anything is possible if you go ahead and revive what you are,' Claudio said.
Fans holding Valenzuela bobbleheads given away by the Dodgers took their pictures in front of the new mural Saturday night.
Longtime fan Dulce Gonzalez held back emotion as she showed off her shirt with the name 'Valenzuela' written across it, describing the reason she started watching baseball.
'He was the first Latino player I could truly connect with and be proud of,' she said.
For Gonzalez, Valenzuela's story resonated because he came from the same roots, offering representation she had longed for.
'We are a melting pot of races here, people love baseball from all races, but because I am Latina, I feel a little bit more connected,' she said.
Her son, Nicolas, dressed in a red and green Dodgers Mexican heritage jersey, said Valenzuela helped heal some wounds after Mexican American families were displaced from their homes in Chavez Ravine shortly before Dodger Stadium was built on the same land.
'He really opened the city up to the Dodgers after a long difficult entry and he really represented triumph over adversity,' Nicolas said.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
MLB games today: Schedule, times, how to watch for July 23
Here is the full Major League Baseball schedule for July 23 and how to watch all the games. Or see our sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division. MLB schedule today All times Eastern and accurate as of Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at 4:40 a.m. Watch MLB games all season long with Fubo (free trial). MLB scores, results MLB scores for July 23 games are available on Here's how to access today's results: See scores, results for all the games listed above. See MLB Scores, results from July 22

Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Dodgers and Twins square off in series rubber match
Minnesota Twins (49-52, third in the AL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (59-43, first in the NL West) Los Angeles; Wednesday, 4:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Twins: Chris Paddack (3-9, 5.14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 75 strikeouts); Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow (1-1, 3.10 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 34 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Dodgers -198, Twins +163; over/under is 8 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins play on Wednesday with the winner claiming the three-game series. Los Angeles has a 34-21 record at home and a 59-43 record overall. Dodgers hitters are batting a collective .255, which ranks second in the NL. Minnesota is 49-52 overall and 21-32 in road games. The Twins have a 37-15 record in games when they record at least eight hits. The teams meet Wednesday for the third time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Will Smith has a .325 batting average to lead the Dodgers, and has 16 doubles, a triple and 14 home runs. Andy Pages is 10 for 38 with two home runs and five RBIs over the past 10 games. Byron Buxton has 14 doubles, four triples and 23 home runs while hitting .290 for the Twins. Kody Clemens is 9 for 33 with a double, two triples and three home runs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Dodgers: 3-7, .203 batting average, 3.70 ERA, outscored by four runs Twins: 5-5, .262 batting average, 4.66 ERA, outscored opponents by three runs INJURIES: Dodgers: Ben Casparius: day-to-day (calf), Tanner Scott: 15-Day IL (elbow), Michael Kopech: 60-Day IL (knee), Kike Hernandez: 10-Day IL (elbow), Max Muncy: 10-Day IL (knee), Roki Sasaki: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tony Gonsolin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Evan Phillips: 60-Day IL (forearm), Blake Snell: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Blake Treinen: 60-Day IL (forearm), Kyle Hurt: 60-Day IL (elbow), Michael Grove: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Brusdar Graterol: 60-Day IL (shoulder), River Ryan: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gavin Stone: 60-Day IL (shoulder) Twins: Bailey Ober: 15-Day IL (hip), Pablo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Luke Keaschall: 60-Day IL (forearm) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.


Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
Dodgers and Twins square off in series rubber match
Associated Press Minnesota Twins (49-52, third in the AL Central) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (59-43, first in the NL West) Los Angeles; Wednesday, 4:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Twins: Chris Paddack (3-9, 5.14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 75 strikeouts); Dodgers: Tyler Glasnow (1-1, 3.10 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 34 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Dodgers -198, Twins +163; over/under is 8 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins play on Wednesday with the winner claiming the three-game series. Los Angeles has a 34-21 record at home and a 59-43 record overall. Dodgers hitters are batting a collective .255, which ranks second in the NL. Minnesota is 49-52 overall and 21-32 in road games. The Twins have a 37-15 record in games when they record at least eight hits. The teams meet Wednesday for the third time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Will Smith has a .325 batting average to lead the Dodgers, and has 16 doubles, a triple and 14 home runs. Andy Pages is 10 for 38 with two home runs and five RBIs over the past 10 games. Byron Buxton has 14 doubles, four triples and 23 home runs while hitting .290 for the Twins. Kody Clemens is 9 for 33 with a double, two triples and three home runs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Dodgers: 3-7, .203 batting average, 3.70 ERA, outscored by four runs Twins: 5-5, .262 batting average, 4.66 ERA, outscored opponents by three runs INJURIES: Dodgers: Ben Casparius: day-to-day (calf), Tanner Scott: 15-Day IL (elbow), Michael Kopech: 60-Day IL (knee), Kike Hernandez: 10-Day IL (elbow), Max Muncy: 10-Day IL (knee), Roki Sasaki: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tony Gonsolin: 60-Day IL (elbow), Evan Phillips: 60-Day IL (forearm), Blake Snell: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Blake Treinen: 60-Day IL (forearm), Kyle Hurt: 60-Day IL (elbow), Michael Grove: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Brusdar Graterol: 60-Day IL (shoulder), River Ryan: 60-Day IL (elbow), Gavin Stone: 60-Day IL (shoulder) Twins: Bailey Ober: 15-Day IL (hip), Pablo Lopez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Luke Keaschall: 60-Day IL (forearm) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. recommended Item 1 of 2